Church commissions lay ministers in Sussex

In what was the first time the event was held, 37 people from across Sussex were commissioned at a special service in Chichester Cathedral on Sunday (January 13).

According to the Diocese of Chichester, the individuals from its Anglican churches formed the largest group ever to be recognised for the completion of their studies - the culmination of skills-based training for Authorised Lay Ministry (ALM), which shares in the public ministry of the local church as they serve their local parishes.

The view of Chichester Cathedral and surrounding countryside from the A286. Picture by Kate Shemilt. ks190010-2

Before the event, Reverend Jayne Prestwood, officer for Lay Vocation and Ministry, who runs the lay ministry training programme said: “It is wonderful to mark the start of our Diocesan Year of Vocation by commissioning the first of our Authorised Lay Ministers.

“Authorised Lay Ministry is now recognised across the Church of England as a vibrant and growing expression of lay ministry.

“I am delighted that we will be expanding our ALM training programme in 2019 to provide flexible and affordable skills-based training in a variety of different ministries.”

The full list of people who were commissioned, as revealed by the Diocese of Chichester, were: